Tim Panaccio: Lame Excuses

Your never ending optimism is sure to wear off on the squad sooner or later Tim.

I blame Pronger.

When I saw Leighton was starting I chalked this up as a loss. Didn't think he would do the job. He was painfully slow to react. If I recall 2010, it was said he only played well when he got a lot of games. He is not going to get that so what good is he?

JJ and Coastise made it sound like he was the second coming of Bernie during the game.

Very well said Tim! With the defenseman on this team, namely Foster, I'm surprised we have a couple wins. CUT Foster for god's sake. I would have rathered Vandemeer over this corpse.

Leighton's presence is Homer's fault, not Lavy's. Of course, there's zero chance Homer will ever get held accountable by Mr. Snider for his wretched off-season, and Lavy at this rate will be lucky to survive the season.

Tim Panaccio: Lame Excuses
- tpanaccio

my dog ate it

I don't get you Tim, I feel as if you would criticize Lavy IF he did start Bryz instead, claiming he needs to utilize his back-up in a shorten season even if it is Leighton. I'm not saying I support Leighton, trust me I was the first one to flip first when they traded Bob and replaced him with Leighton. As for the complaining on the calls I agree with you though, 80% of the penalties that have been taken are from not keeping their legs moving or mouth shut, the mouth one should have only taken 1 to be fixed.

Tim Panaccio: Lame Excuses
- tpanaccio

I was in the pool

I hear more good about the Flyers from Devils and Rangers fans here in NJ than I do you Tim Nothing wrong with calling a guy out now and than but come on We're 6 games in.

Leighton's reaction times are slow because HE DOESN'T FOLLOW THE PUCK. He's a minor league quality goalie who has somehow managed to convince teams into thinking he's NHL quality. He's not. He doesn't track the puck, follow it all the way in, and then push his body into the save. He's a situational goaltender who positions himself to make the percentage save. If it hits him, it hits him. Then he reacts and tries to scramble for the rebound. Another reason his rebound control is non existant. There is no way this guy should be in the NHL. The Flyers should have learned from Game 6, but they keep on making the same mistakes. It would be nice if they went out and actually hired someone on staff who actually knows something.... anything, about goaltending.

That said I have to agree I don't understand the thought process about choosing to start Leighton this game. Tampa was the highest scoring team in the Conference going into this game. The Flyers defense is terrible. The team is taking way too many penalties, and their PK is abismal. Knowing all of this why in the world do you make the decision to start Leighton against Tampa? If anything he should have been slated to start the game against the Panthers, the worst scoring team in the League. Then if he plays well maybe give him a crack at Washington next and then Florida again the following.

And Hoosier I can guarantee Leighton is there on Lavy's recommendation. He played for him in Carolina and that's why he got the confidence from the organization in '10.

Leighton's reaction times are slow because HE DOESN'T FOLLOW THE PUCK. He's a minor league quality goalie who has somehow managed to convince teams into thinking he's NHL quality. He's not. He doesn't track the puck, follow it all the way in, and then push his body into the save. He's a situational goaltender who positions himself to make the percentage save. If it hits him, it hits him. Then he reacts and tries to scramble for the rebound. Another reason his rebound control is non existant. There is no way this guy should be in the NHL. The Flyers should have learned from Game 6, but they keep on making the same mistakes. It would be nice if they went out and actually hired someone on staff who actually knows something.... anything, about goaltending.

That said I have to agree I don't understand the thought process about choosing to start Leighton this game. Tampa was the highest scoring team in the Conference going into this game. The Flyers defense is terrible. The team is taking way too many penalties, and their PK is abismal. Knowing all of this why in the world do you make the decision to start Leighton against Tampa? If anything he should have been slated to start the game against the Panthers, the worst scoring team in the League. Then if he plays well maybe give him a crack at Washington next and then Florida again the following.

And Hoosier I can guarantee Leighton is there on Lavy's recommendation. He played for him in Carolina and that's why he got the confidence from the organization in '10.
- DinkusMaximus

You dont want bryz in there to get lit up and lose confidence in a game that even the coaches thought they wouldnt win.

Leighton's reaction times are slow because HE DOESN'T FOLLOW THE PUCK. He's a minor league quality goalie who has somehow managed to convince teams into thinking he's NHL quality. He's not. He doesn't track the puck, follow it all the way in, and then push his body into the save. He's a situational goaltender who positions himself to make the percentage save. If it hits him, it hits him. Then he reacts and tries to scramble for the rebound. Another reason his rebound control is non existant. There is no way this guy should be in the NHL. The Flyers should have learned from Game 6, but they keep on making the same mistakes. It would be nice if they went out and actually hired someone on staff who actually knows something.... anything, about goaltending.

That said I have to agree I don't understand the thought process about choosing to start Leighton this game. Tampa was the highest scoring team in the Conference going into this game. The Flyers defense is terrible. The team is taking way too many penalties, and their PK is abismal. Knowing all of this why in the world do you make the decision to start Leighton against Tampa? If anything he should have been slated to start the game against the Panthers, the worst scoring team in the League. Then if he plays well maybe give him a crack at Washington next and then Florida again the following.

And Hoosier I can guarantee Leighton is there on Lavy's recommendation. He played for him in Carolina and that's why he got the confidence from the organization in '10.
- DinkusMaximus

I'll give you a theory on why Laviolette chose to start Leighton on Sunday. He knew it set up for a loss. So start Bryzgalov against the Panthers, and get the 2 points. Start Leighton in a game that is a back to back with 6 games in 9 days. And get Bryzgalov 2 days rest to get ready for the Rags. It was the right call in my opinion. And Leighton is the backup because the Flyers watched him play all last year in the AHL, and they know what he can do. It was one game and he was rusty. Same way that Coburn, Timonen. etc. were rusty coming out of the lockout. Give the guy a chance. If he can't get his game together, they can always go to Boucher.

Very well said Tim! With the defenseman on this team, namely Foster, I'm surprised we have a couple wins. CUT Foster for god's sake. I would have rathered Vandemeer over this corpse.
- twpguy

Foster has actually been doing better than I thought he would when I first heard he signed. But if you want to hold someone to the fire, use Timonen or the forwards. I realize Timonen is getting older, and his body is breaking down... but his turnovers, lack of hustle, and bad plays are killing them on the back end. And the forwards haven't consistently executed a solid backcheck. They've been the laziest of everyone.

Foster is what he is... a filler. But I don't think he's the one you should solely be blaming. There's plenty of it to go around...

I'll give you a theory on why Laviolette chose to start Leighton on Sunday. He knew it set up for a loss. So start Bryzgalov against the Panthers, and get the 2 points. Start Leighton in a game that is a back to back with 6 games in 9 days. And get Bryzgalov 2 days rest to get ready for the Rags. It was the right call in my opinion. And Leighton is the backup because the Flyers watched him play all last year in the AHL, and they know what he can do. It was one game and he was rusty. Same way that Coburn, Timonen. etc. were rusty coming out of the lockout. Give the guy a chance. If he can't get his game together, they can always go to Boucher.
- MJL

This..

Danny Briere: "We have to be smarter; we had to adjust. We know what's being called now. It seems like we keep putting ourselves in the same position over and over again."

How is this a lame excuse?? He is acknowledging that they have been playing dumb and saying they need to play "smarter". This is not a lame excuse, this is Briere saying we are making he same stupid mistakes over and over and it has to stop. He is saying what needs to be said here.

The reality of this season is that this team, built as it is, is going to have to play at the top of their game every night to do well. Leighton is the back up, and the back up has to play once in a while, especially in the situation of this season. You cannot tell the coach not to play him simply because he stinks. He's going to get games, that's the reality of this season. Deal with it.

My feeling here is that a lot of guys on this team are young and if they are going to have Cup seasons they are probably ahead of them. I'll enjoy this season and hope for the best, but I'm not expecting anything other than entertaining hockey. If Lavy can't get this team to put out an effort every night then we have a problem.

Holmgren has a major job to do this summer - many, many very important decisions that could move this team to Cup contender are waiting to be made. He tried to make some big plays in the previous off-season and failed in all of them - but he did try. I'll give him a pass for this shortened season. But he gets no pass next year. If they are not contenders, Holmgren is in the hot seat.

How is this a lame excuse?? He is acknowledging that they have been playing dumb and saying they need to play "smarter". This is not a lame excuse, this is Briere saying we are making he same stupid mistakes over and over and it has to stop. He is saying what needs to be said here.

The reality of this season is that this team, built as it is, is going to have to play at the top of their game every night to do well. Leighton is the back up, and the back up has to play once in a while, especially in the situation of this season. You cannot tell the coach not to play him simply because he stinks. He's going to get games, that's the reality of this season. Deal with it.

My feeling here is that a lot of guys on this team are young and if they are going to have Cup seasons they are probably ahead of them. I'll enjoy this season and hope for the best, but I'm not expecting anything other than entertaining hockey. If Lavy can't get this team to put out an effort every night then we have a problem.

Holmgren has a major job to do this summer - many, many very important decisions that could move this team to Cup contender are waiting to be made. He tried to make some big plays in the previous off-season and failed in all of them - but he did try. I'll give him a pass for this shortened season. But he gets no pass next year. If they are not contenders, Holmgren is in the hot seat.
- TS_Downes

Well said!

You dont want bryz in there to get lit up and lose confidence in a game that even the coaches thought they wouldnt win.
- Flyersgod

Really?? If the coaches were conceding the loss before the game and played Leighton for that reason I would fire them on the spot. I hope you are dead wrong with that opinion.

I'll give you a theory on why Laviolette chose to start Leighton on Sunday. He knew it set up for a loss. So start Bryzgalov against the Panthers, and get the 2 points. Start Leighton in a game that is a back to back with 6 games in 9 days. And get Bryzgalov 2 days rest to get ready for the Rags. It was the right call in my opinion. And Leighton is the backup because the Flyers watched him play all last year in the AHL, and they know what he can do. It was one game and he was rusty. Same way that Coburn, Timonen. etc. were rusty coming out of the lockout. Give the guy a chance. If he can't get his game together, they can always go to Boucher.
- MJL

Are your serious? set up for a loss so start Leighton???? That is a ridiculous way of thinking but then again you have a lot of weird opinions and rarely does anyone agree with you, skip post, move onto something worth reading

Your never ending optimism is sure to wear off on the squad sooner or later Tim.
- canadianpenfan

I love how even Penguins fans appreciate Pinotch's talents..

You dont want bryz in there to get lit up and lose confidence in a game that even the coaches thought they wouldnt win.
- Flyersgod

If you really think anyone on the Flyers team or coaching staff considers any game automatically lost before even stepping on the ice than I don't know what to tell you. You clearly don't understand this organization or team. It's also a silly notion that Bryz is going to lose confidence this early in a season over 1 game, especially with how well he's played thus far with poor performance from the PK.

I'll give you a theory on why Laviolette chose to start Leighton on Sunday. He knew it set up for a loss. So start Bryzgalov against the Panthers, and get the 2 points. Start Leighton in a game that is a back to back with 6 games in 9 days. And get Bryzgalov 2 days rest to get ready for the Rags. It was the right call in my opinion. And Leighton is the backup because the Flyers watched him play all last year in the AHL, and they know what he can do. It was one game and he was rusty. Same way that Coburn, Timonen. etc. were rusty coming out of the lockout. Give the guy a chance. If he can't get his game together, they can always go to Boucher.
- MJL

Again, coaches on teams like the Flyers don't go into games expecting losses. In a shortened season coaches know every game counts and they aren't going to be writing off losses before they happen. A day off rest is sufficient enough especially this early in the season, and 2 games rest isn't going to benefit a player like Bryzgalov. He's the type of goalie that benefits from playing more and staying sharp. If you have faith in Leighton or Boucher at this stage in the game, than you might as well put on a Maple Leafs jersey and accept a losing season in Sept.

Again, coaches on teams like the Flyers don't go into games expecting losses. In a shortened season coaches know every game counts and they aren't going to be writing off losses before they happen. A day off rest is sufficient enough especially this early in the season, and 2 games rest isn't going to benefit a player like Bryzgalov. He's the type of goalie that benefits from playing more and staying sharp. If you have faith in Leighton or Boucher at this stage in the game, than you might as well put on a Maple Leafs jersey and accept a losing season in Sept.
- DinkusMaximus

Coaches consider the situation when deciding who to play, and what lineup to play. The situation of it being 6 games in 9 days, and a back to back, in my opinion was why he went with Leighton. And I disagree that a 2nd day of rest isn't going to benefit Bryzgalov. Bryzgalov is going to get plenty of playing time. And I see no reason why Leighton or Boucher can't play well as a backup.

Really?? If the coaches were conceding the loss before the game and played Leighton for that reason I would fire them on the spot. I hope you are dead wrong with that opinion.
- flyerdude17

We have leighton as a back up. Thats already giving up on the team imo.

Coaches consider the situation when deciding who to play, and what lineup to play. The situation of it being 6 games in 9 days, and a back to back, in my opinion was why he went with Leighton. And I disagree that a 2nd day of rest isn't going to benefit Bryzgalov. Bryzgalov is going to get plenty of playing time. And I see no reason why Leighton or Boucher can't play well as a backup.
- MJL

Lets not go down this route again. You're the only person who thinks Leighton is good enough to be an NHL backup.